4 Simple Ways to Upcycle your Slow North Candle

April 19, 2019•Bekah Harrisberger

In honor of Earth Day just around the corner, we’ve come up with 4 simple ways to give your used candles new life! Reusing containers is one of the easiest ways to be kind to the Earth, because it prevents excess waste. Here at Slow North, we are continually seeking ways to lighten our impact on the environment. We take pride in our processes - from our recycled glass to our renewable, natural resources in our ingredients, to our packing materials and boxes that are recycled, recyclable and biodegradable.

First, let’s walk through how to clean out your used candle vessel:

Simply soak your vessel in hot water until the remaining wax has melted, then discard the wax and wick (pro tip: removing the wick may take a little elbow grease, so be patient!). Next, peel off the label and wipe your vessel clean - we recommend using rubbing alcohol or a citrus cleaner to get the container squeaky clean! Please be aware that the colored film on our green, amber, whiskey, and blue tumblers may scratch off during cleaning, so use a soft, non-abrasive rag.

Our love for plants here at Slow North is no secret… not only are our products full of plant-based ingredients, but we are constantly adopting new plant babies of all shapes and sizes to fill our shelves. We’ve even written a blog or two about our love of plants… but really, who can blame us?! It comes as no surprise that our favorite way to reuse our candle vessels is to use them as plant pots! Because our vessels do not have drain holes on the bottom, we like to fill them first with a bit of gravel (to prevent root rot), and then we fill them about halfway with soil. Place your tiny plant in the soil, and then fill in the remaining space with more soil to pack it in nice and tight. In case you’re searching for a little motivation, we are hosting our 2nd Annual DIY Planting Station at our shop this Saturday, April 20 and we’d love for you to join us! Don’t worry, we’ve done all the dirty work. We’ll be providing all of the plants and supplies needed, all you have to do is bring your used candle vessel! Oh, and did we mention it’s kid-friendly AND free? RSVP here to snag your spot!

If you live in a home that doesn’t have a lot of built-in bathroom storage, it’s easy for your counters to become cluttered. Home clutter can lead to brain clutter which can quickly develop into stress, and we want our bathrooms to be a safe haven for peace and relaxation, not a source of anxiety! Our candle vessels can easily be used to store makeup brushes, cotton pads, q-tips, toothbrushes - you name it. With our numerous tumbler colors, it’s easy to find one to match your bathroom decor. Not only is this a quick solution for bathroom storage, but it’s an easy way to beautify your space too!

As adults, we are charged with equipping the next generation. As parents, teachers, or even mentors, we are called to teach, love, and help children thrive and grow into the best version of themselves! An easy way to instill a love for the environment at a young age is to teach kids to reduce waste by reusing containers! It might not look like your typical piggy bank, but our used candle vessels are such a cute way for your kiddo to store their coins on a shelf in their room! Make it a fun craft - grab some cute stickers for them to decorate their vessel, or paint pens for them to write their names or share what they are saving up for! For this craft, we do recommend keeping the cork topper to prevent sticky fingers ;)

Fresh flowers are a foolproof way to brighten up your home, but fitting store-bought arrangements into a weekly budget can be a bit tough sometimes. Keep your chin up because we have good news- flowers are actually free, courtesy of Mother Nature *cue happy dance*! Grab a buddy and go for a nature walk to find inspiration and collect a mix of greenery and colorful blooms for your home. Our candle vessels are the perfect size for a mini-arrangement that will add color to a beautiful centerpiece or can be a simple standalone piece to brighten up your kitchen counter. Our glass tumblers are small enough that you don’t need to worry about collecting a ton of flowers - just a handful of pretty petals will do the trick. Instead of using plain tap water, we recommend whipping up some homemade flower food - our foolproof recipe is mixing 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon sugar and dissolving them in 1 quart of water. Pour your homemade mix into the vessel (about ¾ full) and arrange your flowers to perfection in your new, repurposed vase.

We hope you’ll try out some of these fun ideas! We’ve always been so inspired by the creative ways our customers repurpose their candle vessels and we can’t wait to see how you celebrate our Earth by reusing your own! Share your ideas with us below, or tag us on instagram with #slownorth!